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Politics

APPROVED BBL TO BRING LASTING PEACE IN MINDANAO – ANGARA

Several senators lauded the approval of the Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) as they expressed their collective hope that the landmark measure would at last bring peace and stability in Mindanao. Senator Joel Villanueva said Congress has finally approved a measure that everybody hoped will bring peace and promote development in the Bangsamoro region. “We hope […]

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Politics

FIRST PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN BOCAUE SOON – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva led the groundbreaking rites in his hometown of Bocaue, Bulacan for the construction of the Joaquin Villanueva Medical Center, an extension of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Hospital located in San Fernando, Pampanga. With a total lot area of 9,425 square meters, the Joaquin Villanueva Medical Center will be the first public […]

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INVEST IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR AGRI GROWTH – VILLAR

Senator Cynthia Villar underscored the need to invest in research and development (R&D) to hasten the growth and development of the agriculture sector. Villar, chair of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, stressed that agriculture growth is very important because majority or two-thirds of the population are directly and indirectly involved in agriculture. Personally […]

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Politics

ADD MORE COURT BRANCHES TO ADDRESS OVERBURDENING OF CASELOADS – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon said the proposed creation of at least 59 additional branches of different courts in various provinces across the country would address the problem of overburdening of caseloads in the courts. During the hearing of the Committee on Justice and Human Rights on bills proposing the creation of additional court branches in various […]

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REGULATE USE OF PLASTIC BAGS – LEGARDA

Senator Loren Legarda renewed her call for a more stringent regulation of the use of plastic bags to curb pollution and mitigate the harmful effects of marine litter. Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change and UNISDR Global Champion for Resilience, said plastic bags end up as litter, clogging drainages, polluting waterways and […]

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Politics

INCLUDE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES’ RIGHTS IN BBL – VILLANUEVA

Senator Joel Villanueva called for the full inclusion of the rights of the indigenous peoples (IPs) into the proposed Bangsamoro Basic Law (BBL) during the bicameral conference committee meeting in Pasig City. Villanueva emphasized that the proposed law that will create the Bangsamoro territory should be reminded of its obligations under national law when it […]

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Politics

URBAN AGRICULTURE WILL ADDRESS FOOD SUFFICIENCY – VILLAR

Urban agriculture is a viable intervention to make poor households and communities healthier and more food sufficient, Senator Cynthia Villar said. Villar, who is the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food, notes how the spiraling prices of food and other commodities have made life more difficult for families in poor urban communities. […]

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SCRAP PLANNED DRUG TESTS FOR STUDENTS – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian called for the scrapping of a plan by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) to conduct mandatory drug tests on students, and instead proposed that the budget for the tests be used instead to hire more guidance counselors for the Department of Education (DepEd). DepEd previously noted that with at least 14 […]

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LAW DECLARING LAPU-LAPU DAY IS VERY TIMELY – GORDON

Senator Dick Gordon expressed elation that President Rodrigo Duterte signed the law declaring April 27 of every year as Lapu-Lapu Day or “Adlaw ni Lapu-Lapu.” A non-working holiday in Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu and a special working holiday throughout the country, it commemorates the victory of Lapu-Lapu and his men over the Spanish invaders in […]

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SIGNING OF ELECTRIC COOP EMERGENCY AND RESILIENCY FUND LAW A MILESTONE – GATCHALIAN

Senator Win Gatchalian lauded the signing into law of a measure which strengthens resiliency among electric cooperatives by institutionalizing government support and financial assistance during disasters. President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law Republic Act 11039, otherwise known as the Electric Cooperatives Emergency and Resiliency Fund Act. The law provides that government shall allot funding under […]